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What is Caring Sunday?
Caring Sunday is the national annual appeal for the different Catholic caring ministries in the dioceses of Auckland, Dunedin, Hamilton, Palmerston North and Wellington. This year, Caring Sunday falls on 24 July 2011.

It is the one time in each year the New Zealand Bishops ask for help from their parishioners to support the work of their Foundations so that we may help those in need in our communities.

Prison chaplaincy, established by the bishops and present in every prison facility in the country, is being highlighted on Caring Sunday this year.

Catholic parishioners in many New Zealand dioceses are being asked by their bishops to consider donating $10, $20 or more to support the work of Catholic prison chaplains and help rehabilitation of prisoners.

Parishioners in Auckland, Hamilton, Palmerston North and Dunedin dioceses, as well as Wellington archdiocese, will get letters in which the bishops explain the role of prison chaplaincy and why ministry to prisoners is important for the Christian community.

The bishops refer to Matthew 25:39: "When did you see me sick or in prison and go to visit you?"

Writing to Hamilton diocese parishioners, Bishop Denis Browne explains that the prison chaplain's role is to rehabilitate prisoners from God's point of view, not from that of the chaplains. "It is God's ministry, not that of the chaplains".

While many of the letters acknowledge that prisoners need to pay their debt to society, this does not mean they should be forever ostracised.

Bishop Patrick Dunn of Auckland wrote acknowledging how hard it is to reach out to prisoners and "show the compassionate face of Christ", adding that victims also deserve compassion. But no-one is beyond redemption, Bishop Dunn wrote.

In his letter to Wellington archdiocese parishioners, Archbishop John Dew wrote that he had visited prisons and "am always overwhelmed by such a difficult environment".

"It is difficult, but Jesus told us to visit those in prison," he wrote. "We are asked to be his presence to everyone we meet, including those whom society would rather forget."

The bishops also refer to the successful "Seasons for Growth" programme, based on the charism of St. Mary of the Cross MacKillop, which helps prisoners accept the reality of what has happened, acknowledge the pain of grief, adjust to the new environment and have a positive hope for the future.

The aim of the Caring Sunday appeal is to enable more prisoners to go through this programme. If you would like to support this appeal by making a donation online, please click here.